Shivaji and His Times c8.s30.7

c8.s30.7

A late tradition gives a charming picture of the scene of Shivaji's home-coming. "He went to the gate of Raigarh (sic), where his mother resided, and requested admittance to the presence of Jija Bai. The guards informed her that some strange Bairagis or religious medicants were at the gate of the fort and requested to see her. She desired that they should be admitted. When they came into her presence, Niraji Pant blessed her after the manner of the Bairagis; but Shiva advanced towards her and threw himself at her feet. She did not recognize him and was surprised......that a Bairagi should place his head on her feet......Shivaji then placed his head in Jija Bai's lap and took off his cap. She immediately perceived, by a mark on his head, that he was her son and embraced him." (Malkaré 54; Forrest, i. 17.)